411’s MMA Roundtable Preview – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders

WELCOME:
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida searches for his first win in three years when he takes on Eryk Anders in the main event of UFC Fight Night! In the co-main event, Valentina Schevchenko debuts in UFC’s flyweight division against Priscila Cachoeira. In a catchweight bout, Desmond Green does battle with Michel Prazes. At heavyweight, Timothy Johnson faces Marcelo Golm. Plus, Thiago Santos fights Anthony Smith, Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Marlon Vera, and more!

Robert Winfree: For a guy who’s 7-1 at lightweight and who’s only loss in that division is to Kevin Lee a lot of people over look or just don’t know about Michel Prazeres. He’s also on a five fight winning streak and is the only guy to beat top prospect Mairbek Taisumov in the UFC, yet he’s flying below everyone’s radar. Desmond Green is a good wrestler but I wonder if he isn’t in over his head here. I think Prazeres keeps on rolling.

Winner: Michel Prazeres, Decision

Dan Plunkett: Prazeres didn’t come close to the 155-pound mark here, hence the catchweight. He’s a big, strong lightweight that wins fights with his grappling. I think Prazeres is going to have a tough time controlling Green, so I have Green taking a close decision.

Winner: Green, Decision

Flyweight Bout: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Priscila Cachoeira

Robert Winfree: One has to wonder just how many other women turned down this fight for poor Priscila Cachoeira to wind up making her UFC debut against Shevchenko. Shevchenko should be the bantamweight champion in my opinion, now she’s down at her more natural weight class. As long as Shevchenko isn’t over looking Cachoeira or Cachoeira isn’t some killer that’s been kept under wraps I think Shevchenko wins and moves on to a title fight.

Winner: Valentina Shevchenko, TKO, Round 2

Dan Plunkett: Lord help Priscila Cachoeira.

Winner: Shevchenko, TKO, Round 1

Middleweight Bout: Lyoto Machida vs. Eryk Anders

Robert Winfree: If Machida still has even half of his ability left this is the type of fight he should win. Anders is a hard charging, linear, power puncher and Machida used to eat guys like that for breakfast. That said, I don’t think Machida has it anymore. He’s older, slower, and in his last several losses he’s taken serious damage to the head leading me to believe his chin is basically shot. I’m hoping the Machida of old turns up, because I loved watching that guy fight, but I think he’s done and Anders is going to show him the door.

Winner: Eryk Anders, TKO, Round 1

Dan Plunkett As Robert said, this comes down to how far Machida has declined with age, which is a bit tough to tell since he’s had one fight in two-and-a-half years. What we know is that he’s been stopped in his last three fights, albeit against fighters more proven than Anders, and he’s 39-years-old. I think Machida will have some success here, but I don’t think Machida is quick enough any longer to get away from attacks he formerly evaded with ease. At some point, Anders gets to his chin.